Surviving long-distance relationships

Studying abroad is an amazing adventure – you get to meet new people and make new friends, discover a new culture, see new places, and gain new experiences. If you’re setting off to study abroad in the near future, you’re probably feeling very excited. But if you’re leaving behind your girlfriend/boyfriend, then it might be a bit daunting, as we all know long distance relationships are renowned for being tough. But fear not, there’s no reason why they can’t work, and we thought we’d give you some tips on how to keep the romance as strong as ever

1. Be trustful and trustworthy

Trust is pretty important whether you’re in a long distance relationship or not, but if you’re apart for 6 months or more, it is even more essential. The key is to be honest with each other and not hide anything. Try to avoid miscommunicating with each other and be careful not to become jealous because of something (probably innocent) that you saw on social media. Both of you are highly unlikely to run off with someone new if the commitment is there in your relationship.

2. Romantic gestures

It might not be possible for you to physically be there to take your loved one on a romantic date, but you can still do little things to show how much they mean to you and that you are not forgetting them. Send small gifts to your partner every now and then to let them know how important they are, despite the distance. A letter, a small bracelet, something you noticed strolling around the markets, some pictures of your new life – any small gift would make your better half feel really happy.

3. Visit each other

Even if you have decided to spend year studying abroad, it doesn’t mean that you can’t see your partner one this entire time. There are planes, trains and many other ways that can let you meet whenever you want. Try to go home or ask them to visit you. You can also meet halfway, or travel together.

4. Communicate and share your activities

Technology has come a long way these days, and if you’re both able to, it’s definitely good to catch up with each other via video calls on Skype. Update each other on what you’ve been up to, and listen as your partner shares any gossip from back home. You can also find creative ways to feel connected, for instance this couple created an Instagram project called Half&Half that juxtaposes photos from their everyday lives — to images of themselves to architecture to food to cars Check it here:

Even though your relationship is important, you decided to study abroad for 6 months so you might as well make the best out of it. It will be one of the best experiences of your life, and that way you’ll have more interesting stories to look forward to telling your loved one the next time you speak.

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International Students Rotterdam (ISR) is a student association based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands consistent of volunteers dedicated to a common goal. ISR has the status of a non-profit foundation and is therefore an independent organization.